US Surgeon General warns about social media and youth

The US Surgeon General issues an advisory on the risks of social media for adolescent mental health, calling for regulation and further research.

Social crises — pandemics, recessions, terrorist attacks — test the psychological resources of individuals and communities. Crisis psychology research has shown that resilience is the most common response, but vulnerable populations — people with trauma histories, low income, or social isolation — are at significantly higher risk of developing persistent disorders.

The 2020s have been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of online psychotherapy, and growing interest in mental health. Psychology has responded with rapid innovation in treatment formats and greater attention to social determinants of mental health.

Significance: This milestone significantly contributed to the development of psychology as a science and profession, influencing research, clinical practice, or public policy.